Beverage brewing device

ABSTRACT

A beverage brewing device includes an infusion station for receiving an infusion package. The infusion station includes a pair of vertically spaced package engaging members, at least one of which is movable toward the othermember to an infusing position, and away from the other member to a package loading and unloading position. Liquid supply means feeds liquid to the infusion station when the one member is in the infusing position. An electric motor moves the one member, and automatic sensing means senses a predetermined volume of liquid which has passed the infusion station to energize the motor for moving the one member from the infusing position to the loading and unloading position.

United States Patent 91 Arnett et al. 1 Jan. 30, 1973 541 BEVERAGEBREWING DEVICE 2,952,202 9/1960 Renner ..99/295 [75] Inventors gz a f ix ggfif gg Primary Examiner-Robert W. Jenkins I Ohio 5 Attorney-Meyer,Tllberry & Body [73] Assignee: Mansfield Aircraft Products Co., 57 STRMansfield, Ohio A beverage brewing device includes an infusion sta- 1Filed: March 8,1971 tion for receiving an infusion package. The infusion[21] APPL NOJ 122,107 station includes a pair of vertically spacedpackage engaging members, at least one of which is movable toward theothermember to an infusing position, and [52] U.S. Cl. ..99/283, 99/289,99/295 away f the other member to a package loading and [51] Int. Cl...A47j31/44 unloading position Liquid Supply means f d quid Field ofSearch 39/2951 to the infusion station when the one member is in the99/307'280282283 infusing position. An electric motor moves the onemember, and automatic sensing means senses a References C'tedpredetermined volume of liquid which has passed the UNITED STATESPATENTS infusion station to energize the motor for moving the one memberfrom the infusing position to the loading 2,883,922 4/1959 Andres..99/295 and unloading position. 3,470,812 10/1969 Levinson ..99/2956/1960 McBride ..99/295 30 Claims, 9 DrawingFigures PATENTEDJAN 30 I975SHEET 1 (IF 5 INVENTORS HAGER E AR/VETT BY REGINALD A. SMITH A77URNEYS(II-ll rlllullll PATENTED JAN 30 I975 SHEET 2 [IF 5 INVENTORS HAGER EARNETT BY REGINALD A. SMITH WA 47% f 50% ATTORNEYS PAIENIEI] JMI 30 I975SHEET 3 OF 5 INVENTORS HAGER E AR/VETT BY REGINALD A. .SM/TI-l ATTURNEYS BEVERAGEBREWING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisapplication pertains to the art of infusion and more particularly toinfusion of beverages. The invention is particularly. applicable tobrewing of coffee and will be described with particular referencethereto although it will be appreciated that the invention has broaderapplications and may be used for brewing other beverages.

Beverage brewers of a known type include an infusion station to whichwater is supplied for making a beverage. In such devices, the infusionstation includes an upper infusion-package piercing means positionedabove a vertically movable horizontal infusion package piercing andsupporting platform. With the infusion package supporting platform inits lowermost position, an infusion package is placed upon the platform.A manually operated lever is then thrown to raise the supportingplatform and pierce the infusion package. Manual operation is veryinefficient as it requires time consuming attention of an operator.

SUMMARY A device of the type described is provided with an electricmotor drivingly connected with the infusion package supporting platformfor driving the platform upward to the infusing position, and forlowering the supporting platform to the infusion package loading andunloading position.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, automatic controls areprovided so that an operator merely pushes a single button to energizethe infusion device. After the initial manual energization, the deviceautomatically proceeds through a complete cycle of raising thesupporting platform to the infusing position; supplying liquid to theinfusing station; shutting off the supply of liquid after apredetermined volume has been fed past the infusing station; andautomatically lowering the supporting platform to the infusion packageloading and unloading position.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improvedbeverage brewing device which is economical'to manufacture and verysimple to operate.

Itis another object of the present invention to provide an improvedbeverage brewing device which is completely automatic -in operation.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide animproved beverage brewing device having a very simple and reliablemechanism for raising and lowering an infusion package platform.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improvedbeverage brewing device which substantially eliminates inefficientmanual operation and time consuming attention of an operator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention may take physical form incertain parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodiment of whichwill be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a beverage brewing device havingthe improvements of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIG.'2 is a front elevational view of a beverage brewing device'havingthe improvements of the present invention incorporated therein;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view looking in the direction of arrows 3-3of FIG. 2, with the housing cut away for clarity of illustration, andwith the infusion package supporting platform in a raised position;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view looking in the direction of arrows4-4 of FIG. 3, with a portion of the housing cut awayfor clarity ofillustration, and with the infusion package supporting platform in araised position;

FIG. 5 is atop plan view looking in the direction of arrows 5-5 ofFIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration showing the infusion packagesupporting platform used with the beverage brewing device;

FIG. 7 is a sectional elevational view looking in the directionof'arrows 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional elevational view looking in the directionof.arrows'8-8 of FIG. 5; and,

FIG. 9 is a diagramatic circuit diagram of the control circuit used withthe improved beverage brewing device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings,wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the preferredembodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same,FIG. 1 shows a beverage brewing device A which includes a housing orsupport frame B.

Housing or support frame B includes a lower recessed portion 12 having abottom support 14. A brewed beverage decanter or receptacle 16 isreceivable in recessed portion 12 and rests on bottom support surface14. Receptacle 16 is of conventional construction, and includes agripping handle 18 and'an open top In accordance with one arrangement,upper portion 22 of support frame B defines a first member and has acentrally located piercing means C secured thereto. Piercing means Cincludes a downwardly projecting hollow tube 24 having a pointed tip 26and a plurality of small, radially extending, and circumferentiallyspaced openings 27 through which liquid may flow. A substantiallycylindrical elastomeric sealing member 28 has a suitable centrallylocated hole formed therein for receiving tube 24 therethrough. Thecentrally located hole in elastomeric sealing member 28 is preferably ofslightly smaller diameter than tube 24 so that elastomeric sealingmember 28 will be in tight sealing engagement around tube 24.Elastomeric sealing member 28 engages the lower surface of upper portion22, and tube 24 projects downwardly through elastomeric sealing member28 as shown in FIG. 1.

Conduit means 30, connected with a supply of water in a known manner, isalso connected by suitable couplings 32 and 34 with tube 24 in aconventional manner. Water may then flow through conduit 30 from thesupply source and through openings 27 in tube 24.

Positioned below first member 22, for vertical movement toward and awayfrom first member 22, is a second member D defining an infusion packagesupporting platform. Platform D includes a bottom wall 38 and anupstanding peripheral wall 40. Upstanding wall extends over 180 toprovide an opening between its terminal ends 42 and 44. Adjacentterminal ends 42 and 44 of upstanding wall 40, bottom wall 38 hasthicker portions 46 and 48 to define arcuate upstanding wall portions 50and 52. Bottom wall 38 further has an elongated slot 54 formed therein.A pair of spacedapart upstanding arms 56 and 58 are suitably secured toupstanding wall 40 as by screws or welding. Entire platform D may be aone piece casting of aluminum or the like if so desired. Arms 56 and 58have brackets 60 and 62 secured to the upper ends thereof as by screws64 which extend through suitable holes in brackets 60 and 62, and threadinto threaded bores on the upper ends of arms 56 and 58. Each bracket 60and 62 supports a shaft 66 and 68 on which rollers are rotatably mountedto define cam followers 70 and 72.

Opposite side walls 74 and 76 of frame B have centrally located slots 78and 80 extending downwardly from the upper edges thereof. Pairs of guidemembers 81 are secured to the internal surfaces of side walls 74 and 76.Each guide member 81 includes a central groove 83 defining a pair ofspaced apart guides 82 and 84 positioned in spaced apart relationship onopposite sides of slots 78 and 80. Guides 82 and 84 of guide member 81are provided with suitable holes 86 through which screws 88 extend andthread into threaded bores 90 in side walls 74 and 76. Brackets 60 and62, and cam followers 70 and 72, extend through slots 78 and 80 in sidewalls 74 and 76, while upright arms 56 and 58 are received in grooves 83between guides 82 and 84 for vertical sliding movement. Each guidemember 81 includes an upper arcuate notch 85 into which the bottomportion of brackets 60 and 62 may be received in the lowermost positionof platform D.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, a pan E is provided forreceiving an infusion package F. Pan E includes an upstanding circularside wall 92 defining an open top 94 for pan E. Bottom wall 96 of pan Eis provided with a plurality of upstanding piercing elements 98 forpiercing the bottom of an infusion package F positioned in pan E. Bottomwall 96 of pan E further includes a centrally located outlet opening 102which is receivable in slot 54 of platform D. Pan E is provided with asuitable handle 104 so that pan E can be easily placed on platform D orremoved therefrom. With an infusion package F received in pan E, pan Eis positionable on bottom wall 38 of platform D within arcuate wallportions 50 and 52 of platform D. It will now be apparent that aninfusion station G is defined between piercing element C and supportingplatform D.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment, an electric motor H issuitably mounted on rear wall 108 of frame B. The output shaft of motorH drives a gear box 1 having an output drive gear 110. A drive shaft 112 is rotatably mounted on frame B rearwardly of supporting platform D,and has a pair of drive gears 114 and 116 mounted on opposite endportions thereof outwardly of side walls 74 and 76. Output drive gearmeshes with drive gear 116 to supply torque for rotating drive shaft112. A pair of stub shafts 120 and 122 are mounted on side walls 74 and76 below slots 78 and 80. Stub shafts 120 and 122 rotatably receivedriven gears 124 and 126, and cams 128 and l30fCams 128 and 130 may bemolded integrally with driven gears 124 and 126 of plastic material ifso desired. However, it will be recognized that the cams may be madeseparately and of other materials, and secured to the inner faces ofgears 124 and 126 as by screws. Gears 124-and 126, and cams 128 and 130,are rotatably retained on stub shafts 120 and 122 as by C-rings 132 and134 received in suitable circumferential grooves formed in stub shafts120 and 122. Cams 128 and 130 are positioned beneath cam followers 70and 72 on arms 56 and 58 of infusion package supporting platform D.Therefore, cam followers 70 and 72 ride on the outer peripheries of cams128 and 130 during rotation of the cams. Cams 128 and 130 each have alow point portion 136 and 138, and a high point portion and 142.

With cam followers 70 and 72 resting on low point portions 136 and 138of cams 128 and 130, infusion package supporting platform D is in itslowermost position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This lowermost position ofsupporting platform D defines an infusion package loading and unloadingposition. When pan E containing an infusion package F is positioned onsupporting platform D as shown in FIG. 2, energization of motor H todrive driven gear 124 on cam 128 counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 3,and to drive driven gear 126 on cam 130 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1,will move supporting platform D vertically upward to the position shownin FIG. 4. Piercing element C will then pierce the upper surface ofinfusion package F and piercing elements 98 in the bottom of pan B willpierce the bottom of infusion package F. The top surface of infusionpackage F will be sealed against sealing member 28. Water suppliedthrough outlets 27 of piercing element C will then flow through infusionpackage F and out the holes in the bottom of infusion package F formedby piercing elements 98. This infusion of water through the beveragecontained within infusion package F will form a beverage which flowsthrough outlet opening 102 in bottom wall 96 of pan E and intoreceptacle 16. With platform D raised to its uppermost position, asshown in FIG. 4, supporting platform D is in an infusing position, andcam followers 70 and 72 rest on high point portions 140 and 142 of cams128 and 130.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, a detector switch S ismounted on upper portion 22 of frame B to detect the presence ofinfusion package F. In the absence of an infusion package F supported onplatform D, the control circuit will not operate to cause liquid to flowthrough tube 24. Detector switch S includes an actuator 143 which isstruck by the top of infusion package F in the uppermost D to actuateswitch S. I

On arrangement ofa control circuit for operating the infusion device ofthe present invention is shown in FIG. 9.. Electric emersion heaters .lare connected through lines 150, 152 and 154 with a conventionalthree-phase power supply commonly used on an aircraft. Electric emersionheaters J are positioned in a tank forming part of the infusion devicefor heating water in the tank. Line 156 connects transformer 158 to lineand neutral line 160 through main on-off switch 162. To begin operationof the device, main onoff button 164 on the front of infusion device Ain FIG. 2 depressed to close main on-off switch 162. Current is positionof platform then supplied to main control circuit K through transformer158 and bridge circuit 166. Current is also supplied to relay RA andsingle pole normally closed control thermostat 168 which are connectedin series in line 170 across lines 172 and 174 leading from bridgecircuit 166. Energization of relay RA then closes normally open contactsRAI, RA2 and RA3 which are located respectively in lines 150,152 and 154in series with emersion heaters J. This begins heating of water in thetank containing the emersion heaters for infusion device A. An infusionpackage F is then placed in pan E and pan E is positioned on platform Dwhich is in its lowermost position as shown in FIG. 2. It will beunderstood that infusion package F in pan E could be positioned onplatform D prior to energization of the emersion heaters. Followingpositioning of an infusion package on platform D and closing of mainon-off switch 162 by depressing main on-off button 164, brew button 176is pressed to close normally open momentary-on switch 178 which isconnected across lines 174 and 180 through lines 182, 184 and 186.Current then flows through normally closed limit switch LS1, relays RCand RD, momentary switch 178 and normally closed contact RF3 of relay RFwhich remains unenergized. Releasing manual pressure on brew button 176then causes momentary switch 178 to open and a holding circuit isestablished due to prior energization of relay RC which closes normallyopen contact RC2 for maintaining relays RC and RD energized.Energization of relay RD closes normally open contacts RD1 and RD2 inmotor control circuit L. Current is then supplied to motor H from line154 through line 188; from line 152 through line 190, closed contactRDl, line 192, normally closed contact RI1 and line 194; from line 150through line 196, normally open closed contact RD2, line 198, normallyclosed contact R13 and line 202.

Motor H is then energized to rotate output drive gear 110 clockwise asviewed in FIG. 1. This causes rotation of drive gear 116counterclockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, and drive gear 114 clockwise asviewed in FIG. 3. Gear 126 and cam 130 are then driven clockwise asviewed in FIG. 1 and gear 124 and cam 128 are driven counterclockwise asviewed in FIG. 3. Rotation of cams 128 and 130 by motor H then raisesinfusion package supporting platform D to the position shown in FIG. 4by cooperation between cams 128 and 130, and cam followers 70 and 72.Infusion package F is then pierced by piercing element C and elements98.

Shortly after beginning rotation of cam 130, actuator 204 of limitswitch LS2 in FIG. 1 becomes free from contact with the periphery of cam130 so that switch LS2 can assume its normally closed position. Currentis then supplied to relay RE which is located in line 208 connectedacross lines 172 and 184. Current flows through limit switch LS2 andclosed normally open contact RC1 of relay RC to relay RE. Energizationof relay RE also closes normally open contact REl. In the event that panE has been improperly positioned on platform D, or the operator viewssome other malfunction prior to platform D reaching the fully raisedposition of FIG. 4, it is possible to stop operation of the device andmove platform D back to the loading and unloading position shown in FIG.2 by pressing stop button 212 of FIG. 2. This closes momentary contacts214 and 215. Momentary contact 214 is in parallel with relay RE throughline 216 and in series with relays RH and RI. Energization of relay RHcloses normally open contact RHl which is in parallel with momentarycontact 214 to establish a holding circuit for relays RH and RI. Releaseof button 212 and opening of momentary contact 214 will still maintainrelays RH and RI energized through closed contact RHI. The simultaneousclosing of momentary contact 215 also energizes relays RF and RG throughline 218. Energization of relay RF closes normally open contact RFl inline 220 to establish a holding circuit for relays RF and RG whenmomentary contact 215 is opened. Energization of relay RF will opennormally closed contact RF3 in line 186 to de-energize relays RC and RD.This opens contacts RDl and RD2 in motor control circuit L. Energizationof relay RG closes normally open contacts RG1 and RG2 in motor controlcircuit L. Energization of relay RI opens normally closed contacts RI1and RI3, and closes normally open contacts RI2 and RI4. This reversesthe direction of current flow to motor H so that motor H will rotate ina reverse direction to move platform D downward to the loading andunloading position. Current flows from line 154 through line 188 tomotor H; from line 152 through line 190, closed normally open contactRG1, line 192, closed normally open contact RI2, lines 222 and 202; fromline 150 through line 196, closed normally open contact RG2, line 198,closed normally open contact RI4, and lines 224 and 194. Gear 124 andcam 128 will then rotate in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3,while gear 126 and cam I30 rotate in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 1. Platform D will then move downward to the loading andunloading position shown in FIG. 2 until cam 130 strikes actuator 204 ofswitch LS2 and moves switch LS2 to its second position. All of relaysRF, RG, RH and RI will then be deenergized so that motor H will stop.

In the event there is no malfunction, momentary button 212 will not bepushed and motor H will remain energized through contacts for relays RCand RD as previously described. Upon platform D reaching its full upwardinfusing position as shown in FIG. 4, high point portion of cam 128 inFIG. 3 will strike actuator 230 of limit switch LS1 to move switch LS1to'its second position. Limit switch LS1 then establishes a circuit fromline 182 to line 232 containing relay RB and detector switch S. Currentis then no longer supplied to line 186 so that relays RC and RD arede-energized to stop operation of motor H. Infusion package F will movenormally open detector switch S to its closed position in circuit withline 232. Upon the temperature of the water reaching the desired levelset by themestat 168, thermostat 168 opens and de-energizes relay RA.De-energization of relay RA then opens normally open contacts RAl, RA2and RA3 to de-energize emersion heaters J. De-energization of relay RAcloses normally closed contact R4 to establish a circuit through contactR4 in line 236, relay RB, line 232, detector switch S, switch LS] andline 182. Energization of relay RB closes normally open contact RB2 toestablish a holding circuit for relay RB in the event the watertemperature drops momentarily and thermostat 168 moves back into circuitwith line 170 to re-energize relay RA and emersion heaters J.Energization of relay RB also closes normally open contact R81 toenergize solenoid valve 240 in line 242 which is also connected throughnormally closed contact RF2 to line 220."Energizatio n of solenoid valve240 opens a valve in piping 30 to establish water flow through tube 24of piercing element C. Hot water then flows through infusion package F,out the bottom openings in infusion package F as formed by piercingelements 98 and through outlet opening 102 of pan E to receptacle 16.

If there is no infusion package F on platform D, detector switch S willremain in circuit with line 243 which is connected in series with lines244 and 218. Upon platform D reaching its uppermost position with noinfusion package thereon, cam 128 moves switch LS1 from series circuitwith line 184 to series circuit with line 245. When platform D startedmoving upward, switch LS2 moved from its circuit with line 252 intocircuit with line 218 by action of cam 130. With no infusion package onplatform D in the upper position thereof, a circuit is then establishedfrom line 172, through LS2, line 218, relays RG and RF, line 244, line243, detector switch S, switch LS1, and line 182 to line 174.Energization of relay RG closes normally open contacts RG1 and RG2 inmotor control circuit L so that motor H is energized to move platform Dback to its lower position. As soon as platform D begins movingdownward, switch LS1 moves back into circuit with line 184 by action ofcam 128. Relays RF and RG remain energized to operate motor H by meansof a holding circuit established by closing of normally open contact RFlin line 220 when relays RF and RG were first energized. Relays RF and RGremain energized, and motor H continues to run, by means of the holdingcircuit from line 172, through switch LS2, line 218, relays RF and RG,contact RFl, and line 220 to line 174. When platform D reaches its lowerposition, cam 130 will move switch LS2 back into circuit with line 252to de-energize relays RF and RG, and motor H will stop. The device isthen ready for another cycle of operation. Detector switch S provides ameans for automatically returning platform D to its lower position if itis started upward with no infusion package F thereon.

Infusion device A includes a sensing means M for sensing the volume ofliquid which passes through infusion package F. In the arrangementshown, sensing means M is in the form of a probe extending down intoreceptacle 16. When a predetermined volume of liquid has. flowed throughinfusion package F, the brewed beverage in receptacle 16 will contactsensing means M to close normally open contacts 246 and 248. Thisenergizes relays RF and RG. Energization of relay RF opens normallyclosed contact RF2 in series with solenoid valve 240 so that solenoidvalve 240 will be deenergized and flow of liquid through tube 24 ofpiercing element C will stop. Energization of relay RG closes normallyopen contacts RG1 and RG2 in motor control circuit L. Motor H is thenenergized from line 154 through line 188; from line 152 through line190, closed normally open contact RG1, line 192, normally closed contactRI1 and line 194; from line 150 through line 196, closed normally opencontact RG2, line 198, normally closed contact RI3 and line 202. Motor Hdoes not reverse direction under normal operation, and energization ofmotor H when the flow of liquid has stopped to move platform D back downto the loading and unloading position of FIG. 2 causes rotation of motorH in the same direction as for moving platform D to the upward infusingposition. Closing of contacts RG1 and RG2 causes motor H to rotate in adirection for driving gear 124 and cam 128 counterclockwise, and gear126 and cam 130 clockwise. Cams 128 and 130 then simply rotate around 90so that cam followers 70 and 72 move from high point portions 140 and142 to low point portions 136 and 138 very rapidly. Initial movement ofcam 128 will cause high point portion 140 to move away from actuator 230of limit switch LS1 so that switch LS1 moves back to establish a circuitfrom line 182 to line 184 and de-energizes relay RB. Upon cam 130reaching the position shown in FIG. 1, high point portion 142 of cam 130will strike actuator 204 of limit switch LS2 and move switch LS2 to itsopen position in series with line 252.

Once a beverage has been brewed, switch LS2 maintains a circuit withline 252 through a momentary switch 254 operated by button 256 andconnected in series with a hot water solenoid valve 258. This makes itpossible to draw hot water from a spigot 259 on the front of infusiondevice A for making a different beverage such as tea or caffeine freecoffee. Release of pressure on button 256 will open momentary switch 254and de-energize solenoid valve 258.

Button 260 is also provided for operating a momentary switch 262 inseries with cold water solenoid valve 264 for drawing cold water fromspigot 259 as desired. Release of pressure on button 260 opens momentaryswitch 262 to de-energize cold water solenoid valve 264.

A relatively high temperature thermostat 270 is connected in series withtransformer 158 and main on-off switch 162. In the event of amalfunction with normal control thermostat 168 for emersion heaters J,high temperature thermostat 270 will open to turn off all DC flowing tomain control circuit K through transformer 158 and bridge circuit 166.At the same time, an indicator light 272 located behind an overtemperature indicator button 274 will be lighted to warn the operator ofa malfunction so the main -on-off switch can be opened.

Support 14 of infusion device A may also have a re sistance heater 280therebeneath to define a hotplate for keeping a brewed beverage hot.Resistance heater 280 is connected across line 152 and neutral line 160in series with normally open switch 282 which may be closed by button284 on the front of infusion device A. It will be recognized that all ofthe control buttons located on the front of infusion device A may betranslucent and have neon indicator bulbs located therebehind, andconnected in the circuit of FIG. 9 to indicate which buttons have beendepressed.

In the event of a malfunction after platform D has reached its fullyraised infusing position shown in FIG. 4, such as leakage or bursting ofinfusion package F or other malfunction, it is possible to immediatelystop flow of liquid through tube 24 of piercing element C and moveplatform D back to its loading and unloading position shown in FIG. 2.With platform D in its fully raised position, switch LS1 establishes acircuit through line 232 to energize relay RB. Normally open contactsRBI and R82 will then be closed and solenoid valve 240 in line 242 willbe open for supplying liquid through tube 24 of piercing element C.Switch LS2 will be in its normally closed position establishing acircuit through line 218 with relays RF and RG. In the event of amalfunction, the operator pushes button 212 which closes momentarycontacts 214 and 215. Switch LS1 is moved out of series connection withline 184 so that closing of momentary switch 214 will not energizerelays RH and RI. However, closing of contact 215will energize relays RFand RG. This immediately opens normally closed contact RF2 and closesnormally open contact RFl. Release of button 212 will cause momentaryswitch 215 to open but relays RF and RG remain energized through theholding circuit established by closed normally open contact RF].Immediately upon energization of relay RF, normally closed contact RF2opens to deenergize solenoid valve 240 which then moves to the closedposition and stops flow of liquid through tube 24 of piercing element C.Energization of relay RG will also close normally open contacts RG1 andRG2 in motor control circuit L which then establish the circuitspreviously described to energize motor H and rotate cams 128 and 130back to a position in which cam followers 70 and 72 rest on low pointportions 136 and 138. Once cams 128 and 130 are rotated back to theirnormal positions in which platform D is at the loading and unloadingposition shown in FIG. 2, cam 130 will strike actuator 204 of limitswitch LS2 and move LS2 out of series circuit with line 218 containingrelays RF and RG. Relays RF and RG will then be de-energized to stopmotor H by opening of normally open contacts RG1 and RG2. Initialmovement of platform D downward from its upward infusing position alsocauses switch LS1 to move out of series circuit with line 232 and backinto series circuit with line 184 so that relay RB is de-energized toopen normally open contacts RBI and RB2.

It will be recognized that sensing means M may take many differentforms, such as a scale type of device on support 14 to weigh the volumeof liquid which has been received in receptable 16, or a float type ofcontrol which extends down into receptacle 16 for actuation upon abrewed beverage reaching a desired level in receptacle 16. In any event,whatever form sensing means M takes, the sensing means is responsive toa predetermined volume of liquid which has passed through infusionpackage F. Whether the sensing means measures weight or level of liquidin receptacle 16, it is still a means which measures a predeterminedvolume of liquid which has flowed past infusion package F. It will berecognized that the circuit of FIG. 9 defines a control means forselectively energizing the power means defined by motor H for movingplatform D between its upper infusing position, and its lower loadingand unloading position. The control circuit of FIG. 9 also includes anautomatic sensing means M which senses a predetermined voluem of liquidwhich has passed infusion station G, and is responsive to flow of suchpredetermined volume of liquid past infusion station G to energize thepower means defined by motor H for moving platform D from its upperinfusing position back to its loading and unloading position. Thecontrol circuit of FIG. 9 further performs the dual functions ofselectively operating both solenoid valve 240 and motor H. The controlcircuit is operative upon movement of platform D to its upper infusingposition to open valve 240 by movement of limit switch LS1 into circuitwith relay RB and to de-energize motor H by movement of limit switch LS1out of circuit with relays RC and RD. Sensing means M is then operativeupon flow of a predetermined volume of liquid past infusion station G toopen solenoid valve 240. It will be recognized that infusion package Fwill normally be defined by a can containing an infusion beverage. Theupper position of platform D shown in FIG. 4 defines a can piercingposition while the lower position of platform D shown in FIG. 2 definesa can loading and unloading position.

While the present invention has been described with reference to apreferred embodiment, it is bovious that modifications and alterationswill occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading andunderstanding of this specification. The present invention includes allsuch obvious modifications and alterations, and equivalents thereof, andis limited only by the scope of the claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. In an infusion device for making a beverage, an infusion station forreceiving an infusion package, said infusion station including a pair ofspaced-apart package engaging members, at least one of said membersbeing movable toward the other of said members to an infusing positionand away from the other of said members to a package loading andunloading position, power means for selectively moving at least said onemember between said infusing position and said loading and unloadingposition, and liquid supply means for feeding liquid to said infusionstation when said one member is in said infusing position, theimprovement comprising; control means for selectively energizing saidpower means, said control means including automatic sensing means forsensing a predetermined volume of liquid which has passed said infusionstation and being responsive to said predetermined volume of liquid toenergize said power means for moving said one member to said loading andunloading position.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said one member comprises asubstantially horizontal package supporting platform and said othermember is positioned above said platform.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein only one of said members is movabletoward and away from the other of said members and said one member isdefined by said platform, said platform being vertically movable towardand away from said other member by said power means.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said power means includes rotatable cammeans and motor means for rotating said cam means, cam follower means-onsaid platform for cooperating with said cam means to selectively raiseand lower said platform when said cam means is selectively rotated bysaid power means.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said control means including manualswitch means for energizing said motor to'rotate said cam means forraising said platform, and said sensing means energizes said motor torotate said cam means for lowering said platform.

6. The device of claim 4 wherein said cam means comprises a pair ofspaced apart cams mounted on a substantially horizontal axis on oppositesides of said platform, said platform including a pair of spaced apartupstanding arms, said cam follower means including a cam follower oneach of said arms.

' 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said beverage brewing device has asupport frame and said motor means is mounted on said frame rearwardlyof said can support, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on said framerearwardly of said platform, said pair of cams being mounted on separateshafts for independent rotation, driven gear means connected with eachof said cams, said drive shaft having a pair of spaced apart gearsthereon drivingly engaged with each of said driven gear means, and saidmotor means being drivingly connected with said shaft means.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said control means including manualswitch means for energizing said motor to rotate said cams for raisingsaid can support, and said sensing means energizes said motor to rotatesaid cam means for lowering said can support.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein said liquid supply means includes valvemeans movable between open and closed positions for opening and closingsaid liquid supply means, said control means being for selectivelyoperating said valve means as well as for selectively energizing saidpower means, said control means being responsive to movement of said onemember to said infusing position to open said valve means andde-energize said power means, said sensing means being responsive tosaid predetermined volume of liquid to close said valve means.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said one member comprises asubstantially horizontal platform and said other member is positionedabove said can support.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein only one of said members is movabletoward and away from the other of said members and said one member isdefined by said platform, said platform being vertically movable towardand away from said other member by said power means.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein said package engaging members arepositioned in vertically space relationship and comprise upper and lowermembers.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said lower member comprises asubstantially horizontal platform and only said platform is movabletoward and away from said upper member. I

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said power means includes rotatablecam means and electric motor means for'rotating said cam means, and camfollower means on said platform for cooperation with said cam means toselectively raise and lower said platform when said cam means isselectively rotated by said motor.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said control means includes manualswitch means for energizing said motor to rotate said cam means forraising said platform, and said sensing means energizes said motor torotate said cam means for lowering said platform.

16. The device of claim 1 wherein said power means includes an electricmotor, said control means including manual switch means for energizingsaid motor to rotate to move said one member to said infusing position,and said sensing means energizes said motor to rotate to move said onemember to said loading and unloading position.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein said control means includes detectormeans for detecting an infusion package in said infusing position ofsaid one member and stopping operation of said device in the absence ofan infusion package in said device.

18. In a beverage brewing device including a support frame, canpiercingmeans on said frame, a can support platform movably mounted onsaid frame for movement toward and away from said piercing means, anelectric motor mounted on said frame and drivingly connected with saidcan support for moving said can support toward said piercing means to acan piercing position and away from said piercing means to a can loadingand unloading position, liquidsupply means for feeding liquid to a canpositioned on said can support when said can support is in said piercingposition, and control means for selectively energizing said motor,

said control means including manual switch means for energizing saidmotor to rotate for driving said can sup port to said can piercingposition, switch means operated by said can support reaching saidpiercing position for de-energizing said motor, and sensing meansresponsive to a predetermined volume of liquid which has passed a canpositioned on said can support when said can support is in said piercingposition for energizing said .motor for driving said can support to saidloadingand unloading position.

19. In a beverage brewing device including a support frame, can piercingmeans on said frame, a can support platform movably mounted on saidframe below said piercing means for vertical movement toward and awayfrom said piercing means, electric motor means mounted on said frame anddrivingly connected with said can support for selectively moving saidcan support upward toward said piercing means to a can piercing positionand away from said piercing means to a can loading and unloadingposition.

20. The device of claim 19 and further including-control means forcontrolling said device, said control means including detector means fordetecting a can on said platform in said can piercing position of saidplatform and stopping operation of said device in the absence of a canon said platform.

21. The device of claim 19 and further including cam means rotatablymounted on said frame and cam follower means mounted on said cansupport, said motor being drivingly connected with said cam means andsaid cam follower means cooperatively engages said cam means toselectively raise and lower said can support when said cam means isselectively rotated by said motor.

22. The device of claim 21 wherein said cam means comprises a pair ofspaced apart cams rotatably mounted on said frame on a substantiallyhorizontal axis on opposite sides of said can support, said can supportincluding a pair of spaced apart upstanding arms, said cam followermeans including a cam follower on each of said arms, each of said camfollowers on each of said arms cooperating with one of said earns.

23. The device of claim 22 wherein said motor is mounted on said framerearwardly of said can support, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on saidframe rearwardly of said can support, driven gear means connected witheach of said cams, said drive shaft having a pair of spaced apart gearsthereon drivingly engaged with said driven gear means, and said motorbeing drivingly engaged with said shaft.

24. The device of claim 19 wherein said motor is reversible and rotatesin a common direction for moving said can support to said piercingposition and to said loading and unloading position during normaloperation of said device, and control means including selectivelyoperable switch means for energizing said motor to rotate in an oppositedirection in the event of a malfunction prior to said can supportreaching said piercing position for moving said can support to saidloading and unloading position.

25. The device of claim 19 and further including control means forselectively energizing said motor, said control means including manualswitch means for energizing said motor to rotate for moving said cansupport upward, switch means responsive to said can support reachingsaid piercing position for de-energizing said motor, and automaticsensing means responsive to a physical condition of said brewing devicefor energizing said motor to rotate for moving said can support to saidcan loading and unloading position.

26. In an infusion device for making a beverage, an infusion station forreceiving an infusion package, said infusion stain including a pair ofspaced apart package engaging members, at least one of said membersbeing movable toward the other of said members to an infusing positionand away from the other of said members to a package loading andunloading position, power means for selectively moving at least said onemember between said infusing position and said loading and unloadingposition, liquid supply means for feeding liquid to said infusionstation when said one member is in said infusing position, valve meansmovable between open and closed positions for opening and closing saidliquid supply means, control means for selectively energizing said powermeans and operating said valve means, said control means includingmanual switch means for energizing said power means to move said onemember to said infusing position, operating means responsive to movementof said one member to said infusing position for de-energizing saidpower means and opening said valve means, and automatic sensing meansfor sensing a predetermined volume of liquid which has passed saidinfusion station, said sensing means being responsive to saidpredetermined volume of liquid for closing said valve means andenergizing said power means to move said one member to said loading andunloading position.

27. The device of claim 26 and further including heating means forheating liquid from said liquid supply means, and temperature sensingmeans for sensing the temperature of said liquid, said operating meansbeing connected with said temperature sensing means for opening saidvalve means only when said temperature sensing means senses apredetermined temperature.

28. In an infusion device for making a beverage, an infusion station forreceiving an infusion package, said infusion station including a pair ofspaced apart package engaging members, at least one of said membersbeing movable toward the other of said members to an infusing positionand away from the other of said members to a package loading andunloading position, power means for selectively moving at least said onemember between said infusing position and said loading and unloadingposition, and control means for operating said device, said controlmeans including detector means for detecting an infusion package in saidinfusing position of said one member and for stopping operation of saiddevice in the absence of an infusion package.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein said control means comprises anelectrical control circuit and said detector means comprises normallyopen switch means in said circuit on said device, said normally openswitch means being movable to a closed position by contact with aninfusion package in said infusing position of said one member.

30. The device of claim 28 wherein said detector means energizes saidpower means to move at least said one member to said loading andunloading position in the absence of an infusion package in saidinfusion station.

1. In an infusion device for making a beverage, an infusion station forreceiving an infusion package, said infusion station including a pair ofspaced-apart package engaging members, at least one of said membersbeing movable toward the other of said members to an infusing positionand away from the other of said members to a package loading andunloading position, power means for selectively moving at least said onemember between said infusing position and said loading and unloadingposition, and liquid supply means for feeding liquid to said infusionstation when said one member is in said infusing position, theimprovement comprising; control means for selectively energizing saidpower means, said control means including automatic sensing means forsensing a predetermined volume of liquid which has passed said infusionstation and being responsive to said predetermined volume of liquid toenergize said power means for moving said one member to said loading andunloading position.
 1. In an infusion device for making a beverage, aninfusion station for receiving an infusion package, said infusionstation including a pair of spaced-apart package engaging members, atleast one of said members being movable toward the other of said membersto an infusing position and away from the other of said members to apackage loading and unloading position, power means for selectivelymoving at least said one member between said infusing position and saidloading and unloading position, and liquid supply means for feedingliquid to said infusion station when said one member is in said infusingposition, the improvement comprising; control means for selectivelyenergizing said power means, said control means including automaticsensing means for sensing a predetermined volume of liquid which haspassed said infusion station and being responsive to said predeterminedvolume of liquid to energize said power means for moving said one memberto said loading and unloading position.
 2. The device of claim 1 whereinsaid one member comprises a substantially horizontal package supportingplatform and said other member is positioned above said platform.
 3. Thedevice of claim 2 wherein only one of said members is movable toward andaway from the other of said members and said one member is defined bysaid platform, said platform being vertically movable toward and awayfrom said other member by said power means.
 4. The device of claim 3wherein said power means includes rotatable cam means and motor meansfor rotating said cam means, cam follower means on said platform forcooperating with said cam means to selectively raise and lower saidplatform when said cam means is selectively rotated by said power means.5. The device of claim 4 wherein said control means including manualswitch means for energizing said motor to rotate said cam means forraising said platform, and said sensing means energizes said motor torotate said cam means for lowering said platform.
 6. The device of claim4 wherein said cam means comprises a pair of spaced apart cams mountedon a substantially horizontal axis on opposite sides of said platform,said platform including a pair of spaced apart upstanding arms, said camfollower means including a cam follower on each of said arms.
 7. Thedevice of claim 6 wherein said beverage brewing device has a supportframe and said motor means is mounted on said frame rearwardly of saidcan support, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on said frame rearwardly ofsaid platform, said pair of cams being mounted on separate shafts forindependent rotation, driven gear means connected with each of saidcams, said drive shaft having a pair of spaced apart gears thereondrivingly engaged with each of said driven gear means, and said motormeans being drivingly connected with said shaft means.
 8. The device ofclaim 7 wherein said control means including manual switch means forenergizing said motor to rotate said cams for raising said can support,and said sensing means energizes said motor to rotate said cam means forlowering said can support.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein said liquidsupply means includes valve means movable between open and closedpositions for opening and closing said liquid supply means, said controlmeans being for selectively operating said valve means as well as forselectively energizing said power means, said control means beingresponsive to movement of said one member to said infusing position toopen said valve means and de-energize said power means, said sensingmeans being responsive to said predetermined volume of liquid to closesaid valve means.
 10. The device of claim 9 wherein said one membercomprises a substantially horizontal platform and said other member ispositioned above said can support.
 11. The device of claim 10 whereinonly one of said members is movable toward and away from the other ofsaid members and said one member is defined by said platform, saidplatform being vertically movable toward and away from said other memberby said power means.
 12. The device of claim 1 wherein said packageengaging members are positioned in vertically space relationship andcomprise upper and lower members.
 13. The device of claim 12 whereinsaid lower member comprises a substantially horizontal platform and onlysaid platform is movable toward and away from said upper member.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13 wherein said power means includes rotatable cam meansand electric motor means for rotating said cam means, and cam followermeans on said platform for cooperation with said cam means toselectively raise and lower said platform when said cam means isselectively rotated by said motor.
 15. The device of claim 14 whereinsaid control means includes manual switch means for energizing saidmotor to rotate said cam means for raising said platform, and saidsensing means energizes said motor to rotate said cam means for loweringsaid platform.
 16. The device of claim 1 wherein said power meansincludes an electric motor, said control means including manual switchmeans for energizing said motor to rotate to move said one member tosaid infusing position, and said sensing means energizes said motor torotate to move said one member to said loading and unloading position.17. The device of claim 1 wherein said control means includes detectormeans for detecting an infusion package in said infusing position ofsaid one member and stopping operation of said device in the absence ofan infusion package in said device.
 18. In a beverage brewing deviceincluding a support frame, can piercing means on said frame, a cansupport platform movably mounted on said frame for movement toward andaway from said piercing means, an electric motor mounted on said frameand drivingly connected with said can support for moving said cansupport toward said piercing means to a can piercing position and awayfrom said piercing means to a can loading and unloading position, liquidsupply means for feeding liquid to a can positioned on said can supportwhen said can support is in said piercing position, and control meansfor selectively energizing said motor, said control means includingmanual switch means for energizing said motor to rotate for driving saidcan support to said can piercing position, switch means operated by saidcan support reaching said piercing position for de-energizing saidmotor, and sensing means responsive to a predetermined volume of liquidwhich has passed a can positioned on said can support when said cansupport is in said piercing position for energizing said motor fordriving said can support to said loading and unloading position.
 19. Ina beverage brewing device including a support frame, can piercing meanson said frame, a can support platform movably mounted on said framebelow said piercing means for vertical movement toward and away fromsaid piercing means, electric motor means mounted on said frame anddrivingly connected with said can support for selectively moving saidcan support upward toward said piercing means to a can piercing positionand away from said piercing means to a can loading and unloadingposition.
 20. The device of claim 19 and further including control meansfor controlling said device, said control means including detector meansfor detecting a can on said platform in said can piercing position ofsaid platform and stopping operation of said device in the absence of acan on said platform.
 21. The device of claim 19 and further includingcam means rotatably mounted on said frame and cam follower means mountedon said can support, said motor being drivingly connected with said cammeans and said cam follower means cooperatively engages said cam meansto selectively raise and lower said can support when said cam means isselectively rotated by said motor.
 22. The device of claim 21 whereinsaid cam means comprises a pair of spaced apart cams rotatably mountedon said frame on a substantially horizontal axis on opposite sides ofsaid can support, said can support including a pair of spaced apartupstanding arms, said cam follower means including a cam follower oneach of said arms, each of said cam followers on each of said armscooperating with one of said cams.
 23. The device of claim 22 whereinsaid motor is mounted on said frame rearwardly of said can support, adrive shaft rotatably mounted on said frame rearwardly of said cansupport, driven gear means connected with each of said cams, said driveshaft having a pair of spaced apart gears thereon drivingly engaged withsaid driven gear means, and said motor being drivingly engaged with saidshaft.
 24. The device of claim 19 wherein said motor is reversible androtates in a common direction for moving said can support to saidpiercing position and to said loading and unloading position duringnormal operation of said device, and control means including selectivelyoperable switch means for energizing said motor to rotate in an oppositedirection in the event of a malfunction prior to said can supportreaching said piercing position for moving said can support to saidloading and unloading position.
 25. The device of claim 19 and furtherincluding control means for selectively energizing said motor, saidcontrol means including manual switch means for energizing said motor torotate for moving said can support upward, switch means responsive tosaid can support reaching said piercing position for de-energizing saidmotor, and automatic sensing means responsive to a physical condition ofsaid brewing device for energizing said motor to rotate for moving saidcan support to said can loading and unloading position.
 26. In aninfusion device for making a beverage, an infusion station for receivingan infusion package, said infusion stain including a pair of spacedapart package engaging members, at least one of said members beingmovable toward the other of said members to an infusing position andaway from the other of said members to a package loading and unloadingposition, power means for selectively moving at least said one memberbetween said infusing position and said loading and unloading position,liquid supply means for feeding liquid to said infusion station whensaid one member is in said infusing position, valve means movablebetween open and closed positions for opening and closing said liquidsupply means, control means for selectively energizing said power meansand operating said valve means, said control means including manualswitch means for energizing said power means to move said one member tosaid infusing position, operating means responsive to movement of saidone member to said infusing position for de-energizing said power meansand opening said valve means, and automatic sensing means for sensing apredetermined volume of liquid which has passed said infusion station,said sensing means being responsive to said predetermined volume ofliquid for closing said valve means and energizing said power means tomove said one member to said loading and unloading position.
 27. Thedevice of claim 26 and further including heating means for heatingliquid from said liquid supPly means, and temperature sensing means forsensing the temperature of said liquid, said operating means beingconnected with said temperature sensing means for opening said valvemeans only when said temperature sensing means senses a predeterminedtemperature.
 28. In an infusion device for making a beverage, aninfusion station for receiving an infusion package, said infusionstation including a pair of spaced apart package engaging members, atleast one of said members being movable toward the other of said membersto an infusing position and away from the other of said members to apackage loading and unloading position, power means for selectivelymoving at least said one member between said infusing position and saidloading and unloading position, and control means for operating saiddevice, said control means including detector means for detecting aninfusion package in said infusing position of said one member and forstopping operation of said device in the absence of an infusion package.29. The device of claim 28 wherein said control means comprises anelectrical control circuit and said detector means comprises normallyopen switch means in said circuit on said device, said normally openswitch means being movable to a closed position by contact with aninfusion package in said infusing position of said one member.